Graduating is bittersweet. I have an ache in my chest at the thought of not being in attendance at the Broncos’ games this fall.
My phone pings again with another text.
Rhett: Am I required to be in attendance at the Mixer? It’s the weekend before the cattle auction. Gonna be a busy time.
My heart sinks. I’ve been fantasizing about dancing with my husband again. I suppose I can go without him and hang out with Baylee. I decide to be cheeky about it.
Me: Your wife would love to go. Do with that what you will.
Beau: Bro, that means yes.
Jace: Your woman wants to dance.
Rhett: Guess that means I’m going.
I grin at the screen. I can’t wait. Even if we just dance to one or two songs, I’ll be happy.
“What the fuck are you smiling about?” a female voice practically shouts.
When I look up, Amber’s standing a few feet away, fuming. I glance around, confused why she’s yelling. In the last ten minutes, several customers arrived, and there’s a line.
“Yes, I’m talking to you, bitch.” She glares at me.
She’s making a scene that no doubt the whole town will be talking about tomorrow. I whisper, “Lower your voice.”
“I’ll do no such thing. Look at you, prancing around withmychildren, drivingmyhusband’s truck, and playing little wife inmygoddamn house. How does it feel to get sloppy seconds?”
I feel my face go up in flames. Austin starts crying, and I rush over to pick him up. “Come on, boys. Let’s get out of here.”
“You willnotdrive my boys anywhere. These are my children. You’re just a poor stand-in for me. I’m who Rhett really wants. I’m who he’s always wanted. There’s a saying, have you heard it? ‘There’s no love like your first love.’”
All of a sudden, Baylee is by my side. “What the fuck is your problem, Amber? Did you get a cactus stuck up your ass this morning?”
Amber ignores Baylee. “Tell me, Paige. How does it feel to sleep in my bed and fuck my husband? Does he ever say myname? Because we both know he’s thinking about me and not you.”
My eyes sting, but I refuse to let any tears fall. “It’s not my fault he figured out you were a cheater.”
She gasps like I’ve slandered her good character. “I did no such thing.”
“So you didn’t sleep with Kacey Miller or Cash McAllister while you were with Rhett?”
Her eyes bulge, and Baylee tuts. “Amber, close your legs. I mean, your mouth. You’re attracting flies.”
“You little skank. Shut up.”
My best friend chuckles. “Bless your heart, bitch. You think I care what you call me. Isn’t that cute?” Then she takes the cookies and my latte from Misty, grabs Gabriel’s hand, and nudges me away from the river. Austin clings to my neck and sniffles. Hell, I want to curl up in a ball and cry too.
That psycho follows us to Rhett’s truck. “I’m taking my boys home with me. This is my week.”
I’ve had enough of this woman. I hate confrontations and making a scene, but she’s pushed me to the brink. I whip around. “Then maybe you should’ve shown up last weekend when you were supposed to instead of blowing off your boys. Stop pretending to be the maligned party here. You and I both know you were responsible for what happened in your marriage. It’s not my fault you kept hopping on other men. Rhett is mine now, and I will cherish him with my whole heart for as long as he’ll have me. So you can either get used to that or you can go—” I take a breath, knowing I shouldn’t curse in front of the kids. “You can go fly a kite.”
“You fucking slut!” she screams as she pulls back her arm to hit me.
Sheriff Reynolds steps in front of her, stopping her at the last minute. “Now, listen here, Amber. I hate arresting women, but ifyou strike Paige or me, I’ll be forced to take you in.” Bless Misty. She probably called her father for me.
Seriously, fuck Amber. I get the boys buckled up in the back, hug Baylee, and hop in the driver’s seat while the sheriff holds off Rhett’s ex. Baylee hands me my coffee and the box of cookies, which I would’ve forgotten without her help.
As we head home, I glance in the rearview mirror. “Boys, I’m so sorry you had to see that.” My voice trembles, and I take a few deep breaths. “I don’t mean your mama any harm, I promise. I swear I’m not trying to take her place. I just want to be your friend.” My voice is thick with emotion. “And I…”I love your father.“I care for your daddy. And I’m so happy to train with you two. But I’ll understand if you don’t want to do that anymore.”
